Gpm59 wrote:Good evening everyone, I am new to the workshop, what a great source of info. I have an ELU 40040 dovetailing jig but alas have no user manual. If any of you people can supply a link or copy of the said manual I would greatly appreciate it. The jig accompanying this user manual is manufactured specifically for North America. It incorporates the imperial system of measurement. Warranty coverage, service. 1.6 How The Five Dovetail Cutters Work 11 2 Prepar ng To Use Your J g 2.1 How To Make A Basic Drawer 13 2.2 Safety Procedures 17.

Simple to set up and use, the Axcaliber Dovetail Jig is very robustly made from heavy gauge steel pressings. Fitted with cam action clamps, the workpieces are held quickly and securely while the smooth anodised finish on the 6mm thick machined finger template ensures that both parts of the joint are cut accurately and cleanly.

Full instructions are supplied along with a quality 'Axcaliber' bearing guided dovetail cutter. The jig can be used with any router with a base diameter not exceeding 160mm that will take 1/4' shank cutters, (although lightweight models are most suitable). Fitted with the cutter supplied (for 13-19mm material), the jig can be used to cut both lap and rebated lap dovetails for basic drawer construction or fitted with an optional bearing guided straight cutter, it will also produce 1/2' strong, precise comb or finger joints for tool boxes and utility furniture. Using the optional fine finger comb, the jig can be used to produce 1/4' half blind dovetails for spice drawers and jewellery boxes. Material capacity 275mm width 15 - 32mm thickness. Generally good quality, let down by stock clamping screws - redesign required! This jig is generally well engineered and good quality.

Unfortunately, it is let down by the idiotic design of the stock clamp screws. Instead of bonding a hand tightenable knob to a proper bolt, a nameless someone decided that a plain part threaded shaft with a gnurled top end and a slightly undersized push fitted knob would be a good idea. Bear in mind that these under-secured knobs are taking ALL the pressure required to ensure that your expensive timber doesn't move whilst you're making what needs to be a very precise joint, they're not fit for purpose as the knobs seperate from the shaft.

After a fair amount of toing and froing, customer support were, unfortunately, unable to provide either spares or a satisfactory solution. However, a quick trip to a hardware store and the purchase of 4x3/8th unc bolts and bingo, it works perfectly! - Although, of course, the bolts aren't hand tightenable. Over to you, Axminster, to redesign these, and then I'll happily give it 5 stars across the board! Well made and easy to setup This jig looks very similat to my previous Silverline model but is usable in contrast with the Silverline model.

The Axminster template is well finished and made from aluminium compared to the other one made from steel with a lot of burrs that make it unusable. All is not perfect because the positionning of the template on the support is not really reproductible compared to UJK model. It is also a pity that we needs to remove the eccentric bar to adjust the vertical stops. Fortunately you can improve this jig by yourself and finally enjoy with it.